1. Expert Group meeting “Agriculture and Water” 6 –7 April 2010, Sevilla
Outcomes of the WssTP workhop “Buffer strips and buffer zones – Targeting Water Qualtiy” Luis Bulhao Martins, Copa-Cogeca (CAP)
Expert Group meeting “Agriculture and Water” –7 April 2010, Sevilla

2. Workshop structure held 23 February 2010 in Brussels
Co-organised by EUREAU and Copa-Cogeca
74 participants from all over Europe and one speaker from US
Speakers and participants: EUREAU and Copa-Cogeca members, members of the WssTP netwerk, representatives from Commission, national governments, scientists
Aim: start dialogue between the EU agricultural sector and EU water operators on how best to improve water quality whilst maintaining a competitive EU farm sector, looking for win-win solutions
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3. European legislative framework
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4. Definitions of buffer zones / strips
Buffer zones being defined as a piece of land with farming restrictions.
Buffer zone is a vegetated (grass) strip along surface water bodies (riparian position), but also on the slope.
Buffers are narrow strips of land planted to permanent vegetation – grass, shrups, and/or trees.
A buffer strip is an area of land maintained in permanent vegetation that helps to control air, soil and water quality, other environmental problems, primarly on land that is used for agriculture.
Constructed wetlands can act as „wet buffers“
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5. Functions of buffer zones / strips
drift control (plant protection products)
reduction of run-off (PPP, nitrates)
Erosion control (sediment loss, P)
increased infiltration
breakdown of active substances
But also:
flood attenuation
provide valuable (riparian) habitats
beneficial for recreation purposes
enhances resiliance to climate change and especially to extreme weather events
-> design of buffers depends on the targets to be achieved
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6. Multiple location in the agricultural landscape of buffer zones / strips
Not all buffer zones / strips are along water courses!
Buffers can also be constructed wetlands, „green filters“.
Their efficiency can be increased by adding bioreactors, managed ditches and ponds and by implementing controlled drainage.
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7. Weidth of buffers and their effectiveness
No simple rule!
Today experiences with buffers of some meters up to 20 m
For N the aerobic and anaerobic contact zone is essential.
Regarding PPP first meters to water courses the most effective ones.
For reduction of run-off large buffers beneficial, but also position on slope.
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8. Need for research effective life span of buffers
pollution swapping (air- water)
soil type effects
management
vegetation type
phyto-remediation
impacts on effectiveness due to climate change
+ need to assess economic impact on agriculture, land along rivers being often very productive
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9. Financial instruments
rural Developments Programmes with agri-environmental payments as main measure
article 38 of Rural Development Regulation (if mandatory and if causing significant impact for farming activity)
state aid
Farm Advisory Services (FAS) supporting the establishment
NO financial support if legal requirement
-> obligation under the Nitrates Directive in NVZ
-> establishment under GAEC (latest 2012)
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10. For more information
All presentations of the workshop are available under and a summary report will be available next week under:
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